UPDATED: On the heels of ABC renewing its flagship comedy series Modern Family for a third season, the network is finalizing a deal to pick up a single-camera comedy pilot directed by the Modern Family pilot director Jason Winer. The 20th TV-produced project, tentatively titled Don’t Trust the Bitch in Apt. 23, was written/executive produced by American Dad executive producer Nahnatchka Khan and executive produced/supervised by former American Dad! writer-producer David Hemingson. It centers on an an earnest, honest, optimistic girl from the heartland who, due to circumstances beyond her control, is forced to move in with a sexy, unstable New York City party girl who has the morals of a pirate. Khan and Hemingson originally developed the project for Fox 2 seasons ago. Now, it is finding a second life at ABC with a pilot order and Winer as director. Bitch marks the first pilot directing gig for Winer since Modern Family, also for ABC/20th TV, which earned him an Emmy and an DGA nomination. Winer, who also served as director/co-executive producer on the first season of Family, is bring along Family producer Jeff Morton who will serve as a producer on Bitch. For Khan, the project is in second position to Connected, a single-camera comedy she has in contention at Fox. Additionally, she has comedy Dealbreaker under consideration at ABC.

14 Comments

It’s like a perfect mix of all the things execs think are in but actually aren’t: single-camera comedies, feigning surprise and shock over women having sex, “provocative” titles.

The premise isn’t actually terrible, since it’s just a reverse-gender Two and a Half Men, but the patina of fake hipness that surrounds this pitch is not encouraging. It’ll probably just remind us all why Two and a Half Men, sleazy as it is, deserves to be a hit and why most trendy comedies (like Cougar Town) don’t.

yup • on Jan 10, 2011 8:20 pm

Whenever I see these provocative titles, usually the SLUTS and F-BUDDIES written by that screenwriter young woman, I always know that it’s covering up for crap.

It’s pilots with bland titles, or no titles at all, that are a sign of the writer having a great deal of confidence in the material.

Josh • on Jan 10, 2011 8:20 pm

The script for Apt. 23 is great. One of the best and by far the ballsiest from a few years back. Nanatchka is a true comedy talent and a name we’ll all be familiar with in the next couple years. Rest assured.

dvelopment • on Jan 10, 2011 8:20 pm

I was not very impressed with the pilot script for this one. I’m guessing that they went back and reworked it a bit. Or rather I’m sure as hell hoping so.

Commandant Lassard • on Jan 10, 2011 8:20 pm

“Due to circumstances beyond her control” in a log line is almost always a bright, shiny red flag.

ReadIt • on Jan 10, 2011 8:20 pm

The script was hilarious.

Knowsit • on Jan 10, 2011 8:20 pm

Tthis was one of the best scripts developed in comedy in years.. There’s a great relationship between the leads and Jason Winer be perfect to mine the e optional core and laughs. Good for you 20th to not let a great script die.

Anonymous • on Jan 10, 2011 8:20 pm

Missing words and Emotional core. Sorry I phone spell check….

Shauna • on Jan 10, 2011 8:20 pm

I read this new draft and it’s B…A…D. Trite, on-the-nose, unreal.

uhmmm • on Jan 10, 2011 8:20 pm

The girls at abc comedy love shit like this. It never make it to air and if it does go to pilot it come out like crap. They end up saying “we had to give it a shot,” but it will never draw a network audience. They should know better.

fan • on Jan 10, 2011 8:20 pm

Khan has 3 pilots going right now, she’s the coolest person in town and people should be happy for her. I trust anything she does will be a hit.

I’m all for it.

Anonymous • on Jan 10, 2011 8:20 pm

Stop hating on the female driven comedy – Geez. It rough enough out there – it’s a big deal that they even picked up a female buddy comedy.

Ralph • on Jan 10, 2011 8:20 pm

Small correction: Winer was nominated for an Emmy and won a DGA Award.

firebrand • on Jan 10, 2011 8:20 pm

I don’t watch chick shows, so I’m sure I won’t be watching this. HOWEVER, I’m a big fan of American Dad (easily the best of the Seth McFarlane block on FOX on Sundays), so I wish Ms. Khan and Mr. Hemingson much luck and success for this show.